Valkyrie Profile may not be the deepest RPG in the field of competition, but the game's usage of Norse mythology is a nice twist and the battle system is deceivingly good. There's also a little more action added to the standard encounters and some puzzle-solving that adds to the overall experience.
The game's voiceovers may be a bit weak, but the music is gorgeous. The game is still on the expensive side, but if you can score a deal on it, check it out.